What handgun manufactures do you consider as being of high quality?

[tns0038]

There was a question posted the other day regarding what was the cheapest pistol you would carry for self defense.

This time, let’s take it the other way.

What handguns manufactures do you consider as being of high quality

Berretta
Colt
Glock
Heckler & Koch
Kimber
Sig Sauer
Smith & Wesson
Walther

What other ones would you add to that list, or remove and why?

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[allenruger]

Think that Ruger should be added as they make quality revolvers.

[David in FL]

Kahr
Springfield
Baer
Wilson
Nighthawk
Ed Brown
Seecamp

[cdwolf]

H&K

[SilenceDoGood]

hi-point makes a good gun. Even more ugly than the glock/xd (is that possible??) but still for the money they are good, but i think that is the "minima" if you will on acceptable quality for me. Plus i prefer my plastic "toy" guns anyway.

[f8lranger4x4]

Glock
Smith revolvers
Sig

[DennisE]

In semi autos:

Heckler & Koch
Kimber
Sig Sauer
Walther

Dennis

[Supertac45]

Baer, Sig, and Ruger revolvers.

[jongle]

I would add CZ to the list.

[Kerbouchard]

kimber, beretta, and springfield are among my top 3.

[randytulsa2]

Bottom-Feeders? Sig.

Wheelguns? Smith & Wesson.

[limatunes]

When I think of handguns I think in three stages:

Low quality--Cheap guns that are thrown together. They may work, they may not but they don't have the best of reputations. Some things can be bothersome or cause trouble, but it's part of the territory. They don't have many "custom" options if any at all and don't expect to win any matches with these guns.

Standard--These are your very decent guns that are generally purchased by your populace who is conscious about guns. They are reliable, dependable and have a good selection of options for people who like some custom features. Many people do and will continue to carry these guns and with good reason. These guns save lives every day.

High--In my opinion a high quality gun is one you normally don't just go down to the local gun store and pick up. While there may be a few gun stores that carry these guns they generally are special order only because people who buy these guns and are willing to put THAT much money into their gun aren't going to want the one in the case they are going to want to "build" their own. These guns and very customizable, and even once they are received they may may have more work done to them. These guns may or may not be carried depending on how much risk the owner wants to take, but they are certainly crafted to be 100% pleasing for the overly-picky owners who order them.

Now, what manufacturers do I think fall into that category?

Well, all of your custom builders for sure that base their existence on making high quality guns--Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, Ed Brown, etc.--but also any company who's willing to bend over backward for their customer.

Sig Sauer is usually "Standard Quality" in my book but on one occasion they sauntered into that "high quality" category for me when I sat between a customer and a Sig rep for THREE HOURS trying to help negotiate the ULTIMATE 229 Elite. I was amazed at how accommodating Sig was.

But even "High Quality" manufacturers, in my book, can make "Standard Quality" firearms and vis versa.

There are some manufacturers that produce "Standard Quality" firearms as their bread and butter but will provide a "High Quality" firearm if you are picky enough to ask for it.

So if you asked me what manufacturers were "High Quality" I would say that a company that has gone out of their way to accommodate you and build you the gun of your dreams with all of YOUR features that YOU want on it and they produce it well, is a High Quality manufacturer.

Granted, some people may not be as picky as others and so what I would consider as "Standard Quality" or even "Low Quality" might be "High Quality" for them, but that's a personal thing and if that's the gun they want (provided it isn't a jam-o-matic, or have other serious faults) then God bless ya.

[SIXTO]

I think much along Lima's line of thought, but only to add that some otherwise quality makers might put out a model or two that isnt nearly as good as their best models. I.E., Sig and the P series versus the Pro series or 1911s, or S&W and their revolvers vs. their autos.

[NCHornet]

I agree with the above. Overall I like S&W wheelies, but I am not a fan of their autos, so how does that rate on the list. Many manufacturers do very well on a given model or models and then blow it on others. I think the majority of "quality" manufacturers have already been listed, although I sure wouldn't include High Point on a quality list, Browning and NAA would also need to be on the list. We are very fortunate that with modern production methods and advance it metals and polymeres that the list of quality manufacturers way out weighs the list of poor quality ones.
NCH

[kpw]

Well, all of your custom builders for sure that base their existence on making high quality guns--Les Baer, Wilson Combat, Nighthawk Custom, Ed Brown, etc.--but also any company who's willing to bend over backward for their customer.

I'd say Baer, Wilson, Nighthawk, Rock River and Brown are more semi-custom. You can buy their base packages with some small changes here and there but that's it. Your true custom guys like Ted Yost, Ned Christiansen, Chuck Rogers, Don Williams and others, they build one of a kind works of art the way you want it. Maybe that's the "ultimate" quality, I don't know, I can only afford to be a fan for now. Other than that I think Lima nailed it.